Since everything is closely interrelated, and today’s problems call for a vision capable of taking into account every aspect of the global crisis, I suggest that we now consider some elements of an integral ecology, one which clearly respects its human and social dimensions.
Pope Francis, Laudato Si
With the PhD in Integral Ecology, Universidade Católica Portuguesa offers interdisciplinary and innovative training that changes the way we look at our present challenges. The programme will address wide-ranging issues such as culture and environmental sustainability; intergenerational justice; the green economy and the fight against systemic poverty; economic growth and sustainability, among others. Integral ecology seeks an ethical and evidence-based response to global challenges. A broad perspective emerges as a result, organized into three fundamental concerns:
- Resource management as part of the Economy and rethinking of the current technocratic paradigm;
- The urgency of a new conception of human dignity, guided by a reflection that takes in the contributions of Philosophy and Theology;
- The need to complement this conception by including scientific and environmental, as well as social and political, aspects.
The PhD is aimed at:
- Those who wish to be agents for societal change towards a culture of integral ecology, and to gain tools to deal with the complexity and unpredictability of the contemporary world;
- Those who intend to work in organizations, whether public or private, that advise on and prepare new paradigms and policies for the societies of the future, e.g. smart city operational models;
- Those who understand that current paradigms need to be renewed, given environmental challenges and who intend to take an active and consequential leadership role in society – whether at the community, cultural, political, business or non-governmental levels.
